Sign of spring--2 Coop's

[Leslie]

This morning's excitement--what appears to be a pair of Cooper's back on territory.
I just caught a glimpse of the first--it was the right size with a long tail.  The second, on the same or similar perch, was definitely an adult Coop (reddish barred breast).  After about a minute it followed the first bird in the direction of the nest site which has been used for the past 2 years.
(This is only my second glimpse of a Coop this winter.  Occasionally the jays call.  One day 2 bluejays perched in the sour cherry screeching their hearts out at one of the evergreens, with 2 cardinals in the cherry assisting.  I inferred a Cooper's, but I didn't see anything.)
My backyard: top of Spring Creek ravine (forms Lithuania Park), 2nd block north of High Park's north-east corner.

[Leslie]

At 8:00 this morning--pair on territory.  Day 2.

[Leslie]

Day 3.  Two separate sightings of Coopers, but I can't claim I saw two together.

[Leslie]

Day 4.  One bird got up early (about 7:10, when it was barely light) and flew south to the park (Lithuania) to start the day.  The other got up about ten minutes later and needed about half an hour to get warmed up.
Or maybe there was only one bird.

[Leslie]

Day 5.  He got up at first light and went straight to work.  She arose later and needed a bit of time to warm up.  There are feathers to preen, you know!  Meanwhile, he detached two sticks in two separate trips and carried them towards the nesting site.  He was in a good place to find a third when she flew off towards the nesting site too.
There was a cardinal singing when I started to type this, but it's stopped now.  There are still juncos, the occasional chickadee, and house sparrows around although the bird feeders went down a week ago Friday.  It was time.  Yes, Coopers eat other birds, but I don't think I need to lure the little ones in, and no, I don't think the Coopers will move on if I take the feeders down for a couple of weeks.  I now have a lovely brush pile in the middle of the yard, and the juncos and sparrows appreciate that.

[Leslie]

Day 5.  I missed first light, both birds seemed to be active (left early morning perches) by 7:30.  At about 8:40 I saw one bird carry a stick in the direction of the (probable) nest site, so I went outside on the remote chance I could see where it landed.  The second bird, which I hadn't seen, gave the woodpecker-like defence of nest call.  First of the year.  I think he is doing the construction and she the guard duty, but I'm not sure.  A cardinal sang throughout.  It's either very confident or very foolish.

[Leslie]

Day 6 (Thursday).  Minimal effort, few results.
The cardinal sang with a rich repertoire.

[Leslie]

Day 7.  At least one Cooper's alert and active 7:15-7:30.  Three sticks detached from ravine trees and carried in the direction of the probable nest.  Two Cooper's (pair) perched in view at 8:00, but not for long.
Cardinal sang enriched version of song.
At least 3 juncos flitting about in a small flock, staying very close to the houses and away from the more open parts of the backyards.